How to Wash Teeth

Brushing your teeth is not just about making your smile white and fresh breath: it’s important for your overall health. When you brush them, in fact, remove the plaque, a thin layer of bacteria that settles on the teeth that causes tooth decay, problems with the gums and, if ignored for a long time, it even causes the fall. Now you know why it is important to wash them, but if you want to learn how to do it in the most effective way, continue reading this article.

Use a quality toothbrush. The ideal one has nylon bristles, of medium hardness. It is effective in removing plaque and food debris from the teeth without irritating the gums or eroding the enamel, as is the case with hard bristles. It must also be comfortable to hold and have a head small enough to reach all the teeth, especially the posterior ones. If you’re having trouble getting it in your mouth, it’s probably too big.

Electric toothbrushes are a great alternative, if you’re lazy and think this way to be more meticulous in cleaning. However, even a manual toothbrush can do a precise job – it’s all about the technique.

You should absolutely avoid toothbrushes with “natural” bristles of animal origin, because they can be a receptacle of bacteria.

Change the toothbrush regularly. The bristles, in fact, are consumed, losing flexibility and effectiveness. Buy a new one every three months, or as soon as the bristles lose their original shape and no longer work as before. Inspecting it by eye is however more important rather than sticking methodically to the suggested timing; nowadays you can also buy brushes that change color when it comes time to change them.

Research shows that thousands of microbes lurk between the bristles and the handle, which could cause infections.

Always rinse it after use and store it upright and uncovered to allow it to dry out for later use. Otherwise you will favor bacterial proliferation.

Use a fluoride-based toothpaste: it not only removes plaque, but also strengthens tooth enamel. In any case, be careful not to swallow it.

Currently there are toothpastes designed to solve a wide range of dental and gingival problems such as caries, tartar, sensitivity, gingivitis and stained teeth. Choose the right product for your needs or ask your dentist for advice.

Use dental floss. The thread is as important as the toothbrush, because it removes plaque, bacteria and food particles that are trapped between the teeth, an inaccessible point for the toothbrush. You should always use the wire before brushing your teeth, so that food debris or bacteria that you move do not stay on the surface of your teeth or in your mouth.

Remember to use the thread gently. Do not let it “snap” between your teeth, because you could irritate the gums. Insert it gently following the natural curvature of each tooth.

If you have the impression that the dental floss is inconvenient to use, or you have the orthodontic appliance, try the brushes. They are small wooden or plastic sticks that you can insert between one tooth and the other, obtaining the same result.

Soak the toothbrush and squeeze a small amount of toothpaste on the bristles. Applying too much, in fact, could create too much foam, and you would be encouraged to spit it and finish sooner than necessary. You would also increase the risk of ingesting fluoride-rich toothpaste, which is harmful to your health.

If you feel pain while brushing, buy a toothpaste formulated for sensitive teeth.

The bristles rest 45 ° from the gums line. Brush gently following a short, vertical or circular motion. Do not brush with a horizontal movement, this is a frequent mistake.

Clean all the teeth. Brush a little at a time, moving gently from one side of the mouth to the other and focusing for 12-15 seconds on each area. You can divide the mouth into the following quadrants: the upper left area, the upper right area, the lower left area and the lower right area. If you stop for 30 seconds in each quadrant, your cleaning will not exceed two minutes.

If you get bored, brush your teeth while watching TV or whisper a song. If you wash them for the duration of a song, you’ll be sure you’ve done an accurate job!

Brush the molars. Put the toothbrush in a perpendicular position with respect to the lips, so that the bristles rest on the top of the lower molars. Move it from inside the mouth to the outside and repeat with the other lower molars. When it’s finished, it goes to the higher ones.

Brush the innermost areas. The brush head should point in the direction of the gum line, for cleaning to be effective. Dentists say the most neglected areas correspond to the internal area of ​​the incisors.

Gently brush the tongue. After cleaning the teeth, switch to the tongue. If you do not have a toothbrush with a cleansing, use the same bristles, but without exerting any pressure, otherwise damage the fabric. In this way you avoid the risk of having bad breath.

Rinse your mouth. If you want to do it after washing, take a sip of water from a glass or from your hands under the tap. Rinse and spit it.

In any case, you must know that there is a debate about it. Although some believe that rinsing the mouth reduces the effectiveness of the action of fluoride, others think that it is inappropriate to ingest the toothpaste. However, there are also people who hate feeling the toothpaste in your mouth after brushing your teeth! If you tend to suffer from caries, it would be better not to rinse or to do it only in part.

Studies have shown that rinsing the mouth after brushing does not affect the effectiveness of fluoride.

Wash the toothbrush. Leave it under the jet of water for a few seconds and shake it to remove all the residues of toothpaste. If you do not clean it thoroughly, you will find the old bacteria in your mouth at the next wash. Also, wash, remove any residual toothpaste. Leave it in a place where you can dry it easily, otherwise it will become a receptacle for bacteria.

Finish cleaning with a fluorine-based mouthwash (optional). Introduce a small amount in the oral cavity, rinse the mouth and, after 30 seconds, spit it out. Try not to swallow it.

Remember to brush your teeth at least twice a day. Most dentists recommend doing this in the morning and before going to bed. If you can do a third cleaning in the middle of the day, so much the better! You should avoid snacking between meals to prevent food and bacteria residues from accumulating between your teeth.

Tips

If you cannot brush your teeth after eating, rinse your mouth with water to remove food particles.

Brush tongue and palate for a better breath.

If the gums bleed easily, you may suffer from gingivitis. In this case, contact a dentist. Gingivitis, in fact, not only causes the fall of the teeth and bad breath, but also the infections of the heart valves. Also get a toothbrush with soft bristles.

Try to brush your teeth after drinking coffee, tea and red wine. In fact, in the long run, these drinks can leave permanent stains on the teeth.

Most people cannot change their washing routine. Consider brushing your teeth in a different place to avoid repeating the same incorrect movements.

Brush for longer in problem areas.

Go to the dentist every six months to get yourself examined and subjected to teeth cleaning.

There are toothbrushes with timers that tell you how long you need to brush. They are useful to remind you to brush different areas of the mouth.

Wait one or two hours after each meal before brushing your teeth.

Remember to wash them after breakfast and before going to bed. Make sure you use a mouthwash at the end!

Do not use too much toothpaste. It is enough as much as a pea.

Be careful not to use aggressive brushes, as they may damage the gums and promote retraction.

Rub each tooth with a continuous circular motion.

Washing should last between two and three minutes.

Electric toothbrushes are more comfortable, but in any case, remember to have good washing habits.

Use a toothpick to remove food particles between your teeth.

You can use a mouthwash, but make sure it is alcohol-free.

Try to brush your teeth 3 times a day. If you want REALLY CLEAN teeth you should wash them after every meal or snack.

Wait at least 45 minutes after drinking a soda or a fruit juice, before brushing them. These drinks leave acid residues on the teeth and brushing them can damage the enamel.

Wash them at least after breakfast and before going to bed. Brush them after each meal if possible.